Otitis

Otitis means inflammation or infection of the ear. It can happen in both humans and other animals. It can affect different parts of the ear:

• Otitis externa, also called "swimmer's ear," affects the outer ear and ear canal.
• Otitis media affects the middle ear.
• Otitis interna affects the inner ear.

Symptons include ear wax, ear-ache and headaches. It often affects sinuses and throat also.

Scientists have found signs of ear infections in the bones of humans who lived 15,000 years ago.^[1][2]